Only Natural

"Sorry for the trouble."

Yoriichi stood and bowed slightly.

"It's no trouble, really. It's only right. But I do have a favor to ask."

"Hm?" Yoriichi looked at him in confusion.

The man said sheepishly, "I want to join the Demon Slayer Corps. Could you recommend me?"

Yoriichi looked the man over. He saw no sign of any training and felt compelled to ask, "Are you sure? Being a Demon Slayer is dangerous. A demon could kill you at any moment."

The man's expression turned resolute, and he nodded solemnly. "I'm sure!"

"All right. But you have to pass a trial to join the Demon Slayer Corps. I'll recommend you to the former Flame Hashira, but first, I need to finish this mission."

The man's face lit up. Brimming with enthusiasm, he led Yoriichi to find the person who had spotted the demon.

Inemoto lived on the outskirts of River View Town. By the time they arrived, darkness had fallen.

Living near the fields where the demon had been spotted, Inemoto was deeply uneasy. When he saw Yoriichi in his Demon Slayer Corps uniform, he hurriedly invited him inside.

"Three days ago, I spotted the demon in that field up ahead. It was dark, and I saw a strange figure out there. I got curious and went a little closer, only to see it crouched over a mangled corpse, eating it. If I hadn't run fast enough, it would've killed me."

As Inemoto spoke, Yoriichi followed the direction he was pointing and faintly made out a dark figure. Before he could take a closer look, it came hurtling toward them.

"Get back!"

Startled, Yoriichi immediately shouted a warning.

He could now see that the dark figure flying toward them was Tsugikuni Michikatsu, somehow knocked backward through the air.

Thud!

With a dull impact, Michikatsu slammed into the ground.

Yoriichi rushed out the door, shouting without looking back, "You two, run!"

An instant later, another figure charged toward them. Yoriichi whipped the long blade from his waist, kicked off the ground, and surged forward.

Clang-

Yoriichi stood in front of Tsugikuni Michikatsu, his Nichirin Blade meeting a sharp claw with a clear metallic ring.

Then another claw struck. Yoriichi exerted himself, twisting his wrist and tracing a flourish with his blade. He deflected the first claw while blocking the incoming attack, then moved even faster, abruptly forcing away the claw pressing against his blade.

Tsugikuni Michikatsu endured the pain in his chest and struggled to his feet. He had already lost his Nichirin Blade.

Watching Yoriichi stand before him, Tsugikuni Michikatsu felt both relief at surviving and bitter resentment.

Why could Yoriichi fight evenly with a demon I couldn't stand against at all?

Resentful as he was, he wasn't arrogant. He knew that without a weapon, he was only a burden to Yoriichi. Leaving the scene as quickly as possible was his best option.

But what Michikatsu saw next proved that Yoriichi wouldn't be burdened by him, nor would he merely fight a demon to a standstill.

The demon's attacks fell like dense rain, yet Yoriichi handled them with ease, effortlessly blocking every strike. Seizing an opening, he drove his blade hard against both of the demon's hands, leaving them momentarily rigid. In that brief instant, Yoriichi swung his blade in a horizontal slash.

The fiery red Sun Breathing stirred scorching waves of heat. His swinging blade traced a blazing sun, and before the demon's disbelieving eyes, a clean cut opened across his neck. His head flew into the air, tracing an arc.

Thump...

The demon's head fell to the ground, its eyes still wide with terror in death.

Yoriichi flicked the blood from his blade and looked at his older brother behind him. "How are you?"

As he spoke, he sheathed his Nichirin Blade and motioned for Michikatsu to climb onto his back.

Tsugikuni Michikatsu frowned and stepped back half a pace in disgust. "I don't need your help."

Yoriichi's expression fell. Tsugikuni Michikatsu glared viciously at him. "Don't give me that look!"

"Watch out!!!"

Yoriichi was just about to support Michikatsu when he heard the two men who had fled shouting.

An instant later, a cold gust swept past. Yoriichi grabbed Michikatsu and stepped sideways. A sharp claw slashed past them, narrowly clipping a few strands of black hair.

Tsugikuni Michikatsu stared at the attacking demon, his heart still pounding with fear.

A gray kimono, long black hair tied high, wooden sandals-it was unmistakably the demon whose head had just been cut off!

With a playful grin, the demon glanced at his own claws. "Oh? You dodged?"

His expression looked faintly disappointed. They looked over at the spot where his corpse should have been lying, only to find it empty.

Having been saved twice in a row by Yoriichi, Tsugikuni Michikatsu looked utterly reluctant. "Thanks."

Yoriichi froze for a moment, then couldn't help smiling. "It's nothing."

But the demon wasn't about to give the two of them time to bond. An even fiercer attack came at them.

"That slash of yours really hurt, you know~"

Yoriichi said nothing and swung his blade to block. Unbelievably, the demon's strength was now terrifying, and even Yoriichi was forced back.

Seeing this, Tsugikuni Michikatsu clicked his tongue inwardly. Aren't you supposed to be a genius? How can you fail to handle one measly demon?

In the end, you still have to rely on me.

Tsugikuni Michikatsu turned and ran. Catching sight of Michikatsu fleeing out of the corner of his eye, Yoriichi merely breathed a sigh of relief and focused on blocking the attacks.

"Your brother ran away. He abandoned you."

Even as the demon attacked, he still had enough energy to mock them.

Yoriichi's expression was grave.

Why was he so strong?

Even Muzan was no match for me now!

Muzan was the Demon King!

Surely no demon could be stronger than the Demon King?

Could he be a Half-Demon?

But as far as he knew, Muzan had always regarded Half-Demons with disdain. Half-Demons should have been weak.

"What are you? No demon could be this strong!"

"Take a guess~"

Yoriichi clicked his tongue and wasted no more words. Unable to make sense of it, he could only use all his strength to withstand the demon's attacks.

Yet even barely managing to block them, he still suffered injuries from time to time. The demon possessed powerful regenerative abilities. If this became a battle of endurance, Yoriichi would surely be the one to die.

The demon before him had clearly realized that too. "How pitiful~"

Tch!

Yoriichi's expression grew increasingly grim.

This couldn't go on!

Yoriichi deepened his breathing. His expression turned solemn, and veins bulged on the hand gripping his blade.

His long blade slashed.

Sun Breathing, Thirteenth Form!

The Bright Red Blade traced a flaming sun. With both the Transparent World and the Demon Slayer Mark empowering him, Yoriichi's attacks exerted tremendous pressure.

Caught off guard by the sudden surge in power, the demon hastily retreated, blocking with both hands.

His arms were sliced apart bit by bit. At last, his mocking expression turned serious. But an instant later, a blade came sweeping horizontally at his back.

Moon Breathing!

Thud!

A head frozen in shock slammed into the ground. Tsugikuni Michikatsu couldn't help smiling as he looked at Yoriichi. "Nice teamwork."

Yoriichi also breathed a sigh of relief. Smiling, he walked over to support his older brother, who could barely stay on his feet.

"Thank you."

"Isn't it only natural for an older brother to save his younger brother?"